Cruise with Confidence | MSC Cruises Play

BOOK AND CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE

Putting the safety of our guests and crew first with MSC's leading protocol. MSC Cruises health and safety measures are subject to change and will adapt according to the evolution of the pandemic. 
We offer you a safe and stress-free holiday for you and your loved ones thanks to our MSC Cruises Health & Safety Protocol.

On board our ships you'll enjoy of our endless entertainment options and relax on our pools and restaurantes with total peace of mind. Also ashore, we're ready to take you to some of the best destinations around the world whether is on one of our organized excursions with qualified local tour guides, or on your own.

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The health and safety protocol and travel requirements are subject to change and will adapt according to the evolution of the pandemic and local changes. Information will be updated on a regular basis when available.

BLUE RIBBON COVID EXPERT GROUP

We offer you a safe and stress-free holiday for you and your loved ones thanks to our MSC Cruises Health & Safety Protocol.

On board our ships you'll enjoy of our endless entertainment options and relax on our pools and restaurants with total peace of mind. Also ashore, we're ready to take you to some of the best destinations around the world whether is on one of our organized excursions with qualified local tour guides, or on your own

 

faq

We prepared a list of Frequent Asked Quesions (FAQ) to quickly get answers to you for the most common questions

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

- Are there any travel restrictions or travel requirements for the current cruise programme?

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there might be international travel restrictions depending on your cruise destination and your country of residence.
 


In addition, travel requirements might be different according to your cruise destianation. Please select your destination below:  

- What is the MSC Covid-19 Protection Plan?

As during a cruise, you may be exposed to specific COVID-19 risks that may not be usually covered by existing insurance policies, to ensure your peace of mind is strongly recommended – for all new reservations from 1 July 2022 onwards - for all guests to have in place an insurance policy that specifically covers them against COVID-19 related risks, such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and related expenses, as well as hospitalization. If you have no insurance in place, please note that you might be exposed to additional costs that could not be covered by the Company.

The insurance should be in place to cover you and your family, from the confirmation of your booking until the end of the cruise, your cruise and flight or your Stay & Cruise package.

To fully protect you from the above risks, MSC offers a COVID Protection Plan - an insurance policy specifically designed for these COVID-19 risks - that can be added to the cruise whilst making the booking. The Covid Protection Plan is applicable to all departures on sales. Before finalizing the reservation, it will be possible to add to the cruise the MSC COVID-19 Protection plan at the price of 25€ per person for short haul destinations (Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises), 29€ for Long Haul destinations (Caribbean & Antilles, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Red Sea, South America and Positioning cruises) and 45€ for World Cruise.

Alternatively, you may travel with another insurance policy covering the above risks.

 

For cruises in South America all Guests must have in place an insurance policy that specifically covers them against COVID-19-related risks.

- What if I am not compliant with MSC Health and Safety Protocol Requirements?

Booked Guests that found themselves not to meet any of the requirements of the MSC Health and Safety Protocol (e.g missing vaccination) and therefore that they are prevented from boarding, are asked to send written communication to MSC Cruises not later than 15 days before the scheduled departure of their cruise in order to request their voucher.

Our guests who have booked directly with MSC can use our form, those who have booked via travel agency are kindly invited to refer to their travel agent.

EMBARKATION / DISEMBARKATION

- What will happen if embarkation is denied to a guest for health reasons?

If a guest presents symptoms of illness such as temperature higher than 37.5°C / 99.5°F or there are concerns with their health questionnaire, they will undertake a secondary screening, including in-depth interview, a second temperature measurement, a medical examination and, if necessary, a laboratory examination.

If a guest is then not considered fit to travel, they will be assisted in their next steps of a return home or will be potentially being treated in a local medical facility to ensure maximum support and care. All guests who have purchased COVID-19 insurance will be fully protected. 

All guests who have purchased COVID-19 insurance will be fully protected. 

- How will the check-in take place?

Before the cruise, the collection of contact details for each guest is mandatory in case of important updates. Proceeding to the web check-in allow guests to receive cruise tickets, travel documentation and mandatory health questionnaires. On the embarkation day, guests should arrive at the time indicated on the cruise ticket to facilitate responsible social distancing, with the required documentation. A newly designed processes for embarkation has been implemented to manage the guest flow, to limit lines and contacts.

Before the cruise, MSC Cruises invites all guests to download for free the MSC for Me app to start booking additional services, to secure space and to ensure a seamless onboard experience. 

ONBOARD MEDICAL SERVICES

- What happens if there is a suspected case of COVID-19 on board?

The preventative health and safety steps in the protocol are designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission on board. In the event that someone should fall sick, we have a fully equipped onboard 24/7 Medical Centre with highly qualified medical staff who are fully trained for COVID-19 treatment and who are supported by a 24/7 ashore medical team. 

In case of flu-like symptoms, guests should notify immediately the Medical Centre and free treatment will be provided. If the onboard medical team determines a suspected COVID-19 case, a comprehensive isolation procedure and response plan will be activated in close cooperation with the health authorities.

 

As part of our comprehensive and enhanced heath and safety protocol, we have a contingency response plan in place with all the relevant authorities in the ports where the ships will call.

MEASURES REQUIRED ON BOARD

- Wich measures are required on board? 

Guests will be reminded of social distancing guidelines at the time of booking and during their cruise through signage, public announcements, in-cabin TV and staff engagement.


The wearing of face masks is highly recommended. In certain circumstances this recommendation might be due to a mandatory requirement in accordance with applicable health authorities regulations of a country or port of call visited. When ashore, guests must also follow any local regulations regarding face mask usage. These protocols are subject to change.

THE ON BOARD EXPERIENCE

- Are all areas and services available as usual?

 

Yes, all the cruise facilities and services (buffet, restaurants, bars, pools, entertainment, kids clubs, Spa*, casino…) are available and fully operational. On board our ships you'll enjoy a unique holiday experience with total peace of mind.

Onboard services are subject to changes based on local regulations or other restrictions. The wearing of face masks is highly recommended. In certain circumstances this recommendation might be due to a mandatory requirement in accordance with applicable health authorities regulations of a country or port of call visited.

*Thermal Area experiences are by appointment only.


EXCURSIONS

- Will there be any restrictions to visit some ports?

If you wish to go ashore during your cruise, you can only do so by participating in one of our MSC Shore Excursions to ensure the same high standards of health and safety ashore as on board.
For Summer 2021 cruises In the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, MSC Cruises offers a large variety of shore excursions. Some excursions are available only to Guests holding the EU Digital Covid Certificate/Green pass, while others excursions are open to those not in its possession, guaranteeing in both cases the highest health and safety standards. More information about the tours are available here. Please note that Guests holding the EU Digital COVID Certificate/Green pass, travelling with children over 12 years who do not hold an EU Digital COVID Certificate/Green card will be considered as Guests not holding the EU Digital COVID Certificate/Green pass, for excursions purposes: children will be requested to do the free covid test on board to participate to the excursion (or the booked excursion will need to be changed for another tour not requiring the green pass).

The EU Digital COVID Certificate / Green Pass is a digital certificate with a QR code issued by countries in Europe to show the following:
• The person has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, taken at least 14 days beforehand, using a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
• The person has recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months
• Someone who has a negative result for a molecular or antigen test performed in the last 48 hours

The copy of the EU Digital COVID Certificate / Green Pass (digital or paper format) and a personal ID or passport, must be shown during the tour at all required entry checks. This is a regulation coming from the local authorities and MSC Cruises is not responsible if access is denied at one of the venues on the selected tour.

Every port of call offers also a variety of excursions that do not require the EU Digital COVID Certificate / Green Pass. Guests not in possession of a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate / Green Pass, can change excursion but availability is limited for some tours. Alternatively, Guests can contact the MSC Excursions office on board during the cruise: a free test will be arranged.

We offer you a safe and stress-free holiday for you and your loved ones thanks to our MSC Cruises Health & Safety Protocol.

On board our ships you'll enjoy of our endless entertainment options and relax on our pools and restaurants with total peace of mind. Also ashore, we're ready to take you to some of the best destinations around the world whether is on one of our organized excursions with qualified local tour guides, or on your own